EGNM
I have a guilty pleasure. I enjoy taking aircraft pictures. But I’m not a plane spotter. I dont tick them off in a little book. I dont get excited when a A330 comes in. I just like to hear that immense rumble, and feel the backwash as these huge birds accellerate down the runway.
If someone asks me what aircraft that was, I cant tell them.
Anyway, my Local Airport is Leeds Bradford. There are many places you can get good shots, from both ends of the runway. So here is a quick rundown of places.
First off, is the “Bomb Craters”. This is a area of very rough ground. Can get quite busy up here, and the view is semi blocked by the Multiflight hangars. To get there, turn Left at the traffic lights. Entrance is about half mile up the road on the left.
From parking here, you can also walk down to out next point. A Public footpath exists between the Fence and golfcourse. This however is a very wet and overgrown, so wear decent boots. You will get right down to the End of Runway 32, and get some good shots of aircraft landing if the current rotation is that way. (Rotation changes at 3pm everyday)
But by far my favourite place is the Cemetary, on Cemetary Road. From this elevated position you can see the entire length of the runaway and a good view of the Apron area. It can however get really really busy up here. And parkin space is at a premium.
For those that are interested, you can get all sorts of lovely information about the Airport from NATS. Airport charts and navigation information is all provided on their site.
Airport frequencies for those with a scanner are (Note that some changed as of June 2010, these are the new frequencies)
- Leeds Approach 125.575
- Leeds Tower 120.300
- Leeds Delivery 121.800 As broadcast on ATIS or directed bt ATC
- Leeds Radar 125.575, 133.125 As directed by ATC.
- ATIS Leeds Information 118.025
- FIRE Leeds Fire 121.600 Available when Fire vehicle attending aircraft on the ground in an emergency.
There are a few others in use, such as ground crew and other misc services, but these are the main ones. Multiflight can be found on 130.650 MHz.
Be sure to check out the Flickr group for LBA.
A Wanted weekend
After what was possibly the worst day I’ve ever had at work, I was really looking forward to this weekend.
I went off on Saturday, determined to get some better shots of the Deer. Another photographer was up there, with a huge Canon, and the biggest lense I’ve ever seen outside of a sports stadium.
Rutting season is more or less over and the Stags are taking it easy. still chasing the occasional buck chancing his luck, but for the most part their just chilling.
Then in the evening, I went to the Fireworks display on the stray, which to be perfectly honest, was a disappointing affair. But my god there was alot of people there. And as normal, people where dumping their cars wherever they could spreading chaos in their wake.
Leaving the stray area was a nightmare. The largest roundabout in Harrogate, the empress just turned into a random free for all, as people jostled to get on and off it. It was just a complete nightmare. I decided I wanted no part of that and went left back toward the fireworks and down North Park Road. Getting home I loaded the fireworks shots into lightroom, and was a little disapointed. I chose to ue my Sigma 10-20mm, and that was a error, I was a little to far away from the fireworks, and most of the frames where overly blah. I loaded several of the shots into Phostshop, and arranged them into a single layerd document. and fidlled with them until I had something I liked. So all was’nt lost.
I dont know what I’m doing on Sunday, but I’ll sure as hell not waste the day. Might actually go to Leeds or maybe York and do some people type shots. I enjoy street photography, but my old bug bear of nerves always gets me when I see a good shot.
And, I’ll watch out for Police speed traps 
Power of Photoshop
So I was quite bored on Sunday morning, so I fired up PS and did some image work.
I had this image on my system, taken in Leeds a few weeks earlier. I like it, but I felt it missed a little something. I was keen to draw the eye more into the two workers laying new paving slabs as they were the main focal point.
So I added a desaturation layer, and a mask. I masked the workers to show their fluorescent green jackets and blue jeans. It work, the image had a little more punch and the focal point was much more prominent. But it still did not have the effect I was looking for.
I added a mask to the workers, and set a large blur to the image. After tidying up the selection, I was happy. The workers, now isolated from the background really stood out as the focal point. With more than enough interest in the background to add a little interest.
They stood out marvellously.
Studley
It was the few words I dread hearing. But they came. “Can you change the Duvet cover?” Its was with great speed I grabbed the camera and got into the car.
If there is one job I hate doing more than any other, its changing the Duvet cover. I’d rather scrub the toilet. No matter how I do it, its wrong. I ram the duvet in, find the corners and shake it into place. However, I’m constantly informed I’m doing it wrong. The “Correct” way is to turn the cover inside out and fold it back. My meathod is much easier. But hey, what do I know.
So I went to Studley Royal Deer park in the hope of stalking a few dear and getting some good shots. It was really really busy. Despite the bad fog and horrible grey overcast light. Plenty of people walking round the Deer park. I did’nt hold much hope of seeing many Deer, thinking they may be hiding away from the crowds.
Well, they weren’t. As soon as I parked the car, I saw them, not 50 meters away. I went upto the huge trees and took a position behind and downwind.
I was unseen, but when the shutter clatterd into life, I was immeadiatly spotted. He looked, but he did’nt run. All around me was thumping noises from the conkers falling off the trees. One hit me square on the top of my head. It bloody hurt. They where dropping like little cluster bombs all around me.
More and more deer came scampering past, young fawns, and strangly, a black one. I could hear the bellow from the Stag over the hill. A impressive sound to be sure. Then a commotion from my left. I looked round and saw two of last years fawns sparing with their impressve new head wear. I took loads of images, unfortunatly, my shutter speed was to low. It just happend to quick for me to react to. But some shots did come out.
I’ll be back in Studley Royal Deer park next week and hopefully get some better shots.
Zombie Time
This is the closest I have to a Hallowean type shot in my collection.
Well, it is a zombie at least………..
For Halloween
Burnt Evil Boy, originally uploaded by Mr DoeyBags.
Dug this one out of my Flickr Stream, as its the closest think I have to a halloween image
A Sign
I was hoping for some people shots on the way home from work, but there was no one. Not a soul about. No idea why, but it was so quiet.
Even the odd guy who stands on a corner waving at every car passing was not out. It was like I was the only person out.
But theres always tomorrow.
Favourite Shot of October
October has seen a few good shots, being one of my favourite times of the year.
My favourite so far is clearly a couple of images taken at Fewston. It was quite a foggy day in all. Bu
t I think the photo shows the wonderful late afternoon sun bringing out the deep bronze colour.
I’m planning on getting out and about this weekend. Thank god for the weekend. I no longer have to listen to the insufferable whinging of people moaning, the Estate agents squirming around to get their commission sooner, or colleagues avoiding talking to clients. For two days I have all to my self. So out and about. Not going to waste it. I have loads of photos that require work, and plans to take more images.
In other news, I’ve been looking at upgrading my D90 to a D7000. I might put my D90 on the second hand market. I’m just hoping prices dont crash to far, as its fairly critical that cash goes toward the D7000. Honestly, it is in immaculate condition, well cared for and 4k shutter actuations. So I’m hoping I’ll get a decent price for it.
Lightroom and Photoshop
Lightroom, is by far, the most powerful photo management application there is. I use it alot for the cataloging of my images. However, I only ever really do light editing of images in lightroom.
I’ve never really heavily edited images, most of the time I just fix basic exposure issues, and colour. Maybe I should spend more time editing images and leveraging the incredible power lightroom offers in its develop module.
Take this image of York Minster for instance.
It exhibits the classic lean backwards most tall buildings show in photographs. This is easy to remedy in Lightroom, with its lens correction options. Scott Kelby shows how to improve a image similar to this on his recent entry on his blog. It really shows the power that Lightroom offers.
But couple Lightroom with Photoshop, and you have the most powerful image editing couples possible. Basic editing in Lightroom, advanced editing in Photoshop. Time for another image example.
This image taken on Yeadon resivour, next to Leeds Bradford Airport was of a recent sailing competition. I like the image, but that thin wire running from top of the frame to the side of the boat is distracting.
It would be a easy task to send the image seamlessly from Lightroom to Photoshop, and use the Spot-Healing brush with content aware filter to remove the wire. For areas to close to contrast zones, drop back to the clone stamp tool to clean up. easy job, and when done, lightroom updates automaticly with the Photoshop edits.
You cant beat the two for the most powerful software suites for image editing. But another question arises. Is image editing cheating? Well, in my opinion it is’nt. You can make a good photo great, but you can also turn a image into a great steaming pile of utter shite. Its a fine line to tread and a few steps over can ruin a shot.
Photographers have always edited images, even back in film days. Its nothing new and not unique to digital photography.
By all means I strive to take good images from the camera, but like the shots above, sometimes the image requires help.
Remember this: don’t take pictures, the camera does that. It’s up to you to create the picture the camera sees.
I really must start using the full potential of LightRoom.
Garden Scarecrow
Garden Scarecrow, originally uploaded by Mr DoeyBags.
Street Photography
So I am slowly improving my confidence photographing people on the street.
I’m finding that most people are either looking at their feet, especially the younger people, other people are just to busy wrapped up in their own little world. People will look at you with a strange quizzical look at times, but I’ve not had anyone say anything to me yet.
My next task is to ask someone directly if I can take their picture. For some reason when I think of this, I get an image of a group of OAP’s sat on a bench enjoying the fresh air. Young in the mind. Think this comes from an image I saw years ago.
That however is a matter for another weekend.
I find I really enjoy capturing people, the moment, stolen in time. Be that eating a takeaway, a couple looking at jewelry in a shop window, or other fleeting moments of people’s lives. 
I find my self thinking a lot more of what is happening around me. I was one of those people who wander in their own little world, now however, from behind the viewfinder I can snatch moments. More interest in people around me.
And That can only be a good thing. But the but the new rule I have, is minimal post processing, unless the image screams for a treatment, they will be posted as is. Raw, unedited. Just like I took it out of camera, Just as seen with the eye.
Photo sharing
I’m a big believer in the fact that photography should be shared. And with digital images, and the internet, there is no reason not to.
But the big question to most people is how. Which site to use?
Like many many others, I started with Flickr, and still use it a lot. It’s a great place, with a strong user base, and really helpful forums. And cracking shots to look through and get inspiration. The photo management on Flickr, is so much easier, with the ability to “Shortcut” images into different collections. So an image of a bird for example can be in a Wildlife gallery, and in the birds gallery. Change the photo keywords, description etc and both are updated. This contrasts with some of the other sites that just copy the file, giving two files and more to manage.
Other sites tend to go for more of a Photoshoot plan, because Flickr goes for an overall display system. Understandable as most of the other sites are for more professional shooters, who shoot a set.
Flickr has been at the top of the pile for lower end photo sharing for a long long time, and it shows no sign of giving up its crown. One of the few things I dont like about flickr however, is Yahoos’ crappy mapping. It is by far the worst ever. Dont ever think about zooming in on the Satellite view, it just does not exist. But good old Greasemonkey on Firefox can sort that out replacing Yahoo maps with Google maps.
But one thing Flickr lacks, is the ability to sell images. Yes you can sell them on Flickr, but you get nothing back. Thats where sites like the superb Zenfolio come into play.
Origionally I was using the SmugMug service, which I liked, but the fact I could not sell my images to my country, in anything other than US Dollars irked me a little. So I started a trial with Zenfolio. It did’nt take long to decide I was going to drop SmugMug and go with ZenFolio.
The few questions I had, where dealt with, in perhaps what was the promptest and helpful customer service I’ve seen. They even went as far as posting here on this blog, and offering help and advice outside of the normal channels.
Zenfolio allows you to have a professional site in a matter of minutes, and they offer a European print lab, and UK pricing. Perfect.
They have a excellent management interface for managing your photos, more of a explorer style with folders. But I really do miss the GPS Mapping Smugmug has, but I’m willing to wait for that based on the other features Zenfolio offers. I could not ask for more from a Sharing site than I get from Zen.
Will I stop using flickr? No. Flickr offers the ability to upload “Snaps” and other shots, and along with the community has insured my continued usage. It really is geared more to the social aspect. (Unless Yahoo! is bought by Rupert Murdoch At which point I will drop it like a hot brick).
And Zenfolio has defiantly gained its place as my Portfolio and sales site.
Old Photos
I love old photos. A snapshot into the past.
This is my grandmother on my fathers side, taken before her marriage to my grandfather.
Old photos always tell their own unique story. Photography has become so common place now, that the sheer amount of photos drowns out any meaning. Old photos where taken, to mark a event, something special. Old photos always have a purpose. Having a photo done was a important and rare event something to remember and treasure.
You can just imagine the photographer turning up with a huge wooden box of magic, hiding himself away under a black cloth before finally taking the image after everyone is ready and then waiting 5 minuites for the exposure to finish.
But by far the most prolific snapper was my grand father on my mothers side. He has a wide collection of brownings, kodaks and others. And many many photos.
See my collection of old Family images over on my Zenfolio gallery
Beautiful Light
As I’m sure you noticed by some of my recent posts, both here and on my Photosite, Autumn is my favourite time of year. The crispness in the morning air, the beautiful colours in the leaves, and the low sun giving rise to crisp long shadows all add up to wonderful conditions for photography.
Lets Hope Sunday is a nice day, as I have the Bradford Half Marathon to attend.
Finally
Some good light for the walk home. After a day of dealing with people, who where non the least happy, and Solicitors who dont understand the world has moved forward. Or maybe the fact a colleague wrote something on my notepad while I was on the phone, which I don’t know if was directed to me, or who I was talking too at the time. But thats a subject for my other blog (more…)
Random Image
Done entirely within photoshop, this is the result of a very wet day when I was incredibly bored. So I loaded up Photoshop and this was the result of a few hours work.
Walk Home
So I took my camera to work, in hope that the light would be similar to the fantastic light we had yesterday. Unfortunatly, It was’nt to be.
A lot of nasty grey clouds lined the sky, casting a horrible cast to the light and no directionality at all. It was just utterly flat.
So walking through the Valley Gardens, people sitting around on benches in quiet reflection, and not a lot else. The cherubs on the water fountain where not there, removed at night, looks like they forgot to put them back out today. Shame as I wanted to update a photo I did years ago of the two on my Kodak z740.
So onwards along Valley Gardens. 
So a few more shots along the Gardens, and a few of the conference center, from various angles. But non that I was really happy with. I did’nt know if it was because I had a bad afternoon at work, and was a little annoyed, or the light was just so grey, but something just was’nt clicking.
But one thing is for sure, I really need to change the direction of my photography. It’s stale and boring and needs some serious drive to a different angle to make it more enjoyable, both to do and to look at. A new bold approach is required. And thats whats going to arrive soon. More empathsis on people and emotion, more action. No more stale tedious shots. Need more creative, one-off moments and action. Hopefully, Bradford Half marathon later this month will give me the kickstart needed. People shots will abound, no only of the runners, but of crowds, emotion and tears.
Lets wait and see what October the 18th brings. Hopefully a new angle to be explored.
